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pick on

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pick on someone or something

to harass or bother someone or something, usually unfairly. Please stop picking on me! I'm tired of it. You shouldn't pick on the cat.

See also: on, pick

pick on somebody

to treat someone unfairly by criticizing or punishing them What could have caused so many people to pick on him? My sister was always picked on at school.

See also: on, pick

pick on

Tease, bully, victimize, as in She told Mom the boys were always picking on her. [Second half of 1800s] This expression is sometimes put as pick on someone your own size, meaning "don't badger someone who is younger, smaller, or weaker than yourself but do so only to an equal."

See also: on, pick

pick on

v.

To treat someone badly or unfairly, especially by teasing or bullying: My big sister always picks on me. The kids at school pick on him for wearing glasses.

See also: on, pick